Total 911 Motorsport

Tudor USCC: Laguna Seca preview

Laguna Seca is the venue for round four of the 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship this weekend, as Porsche North America Racing look to return to winning ways at the famous Californian circuit.

After Florida proved a happy hunting ground for the new US factory outfit (the opening two rounds garnering 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring victories), the championship’s move to the Golden State was less successful.

The iconic street race around Long Beach three weeks ago proved frustrating for the #911 and #912 Porsche 911 RSRs, finishing fourth and fifth after struggling to match the pace of the new Corvette C7.Rs.

Total 911 columnist, Nick Tandy sits just two points off the top of the drivers’ standings after Long Beach.

However, Laguna Seca is an entirely different style of circuit to the stop-start Long Beach track, providing the Porsche North America Racing 911 RSRs with a new challenge.

After the initial hairpin at Turn One, the circuit sweeps its way uphill through a succession of medium-fast sweeps. Atop the hill awaits the infamous Corkscrew chicane, which sharply kicks downhill in the middle.

From there, the circuit then quickly descends back towards the start/finish line, completing a 2.238-mile lap that has become iconic thanks to its numerous appearances in videogames such as Gran Turismo and Forza.

Team Falken have now had two races with their new 991 RSR. Will Monterey see them move up the GTLM pecking order?

While the Porsche 911 RSRs of Porsche North America Racing and Team Falken cannot expect rain to help their cause thanks to California’s traditionally excellent weather, the 911’s strong traction will still play a role out of the last corner, with the Weissach machine’s strong brakes helping into the following hairpin.

Furthermore, while not producing as much downforce as its rivals, the nature of Laguna Seca should ensure that the Stuttgart contingent are able to battle it out with the BMWs and Corvettes.

Nick Tandy and Richard Lietz will once again pilot the #911 entry, with Patrick Long and Michael Christensen taking the wheel of #912. Qualifying takes place at 8:15pm on Saturday evening, with the two-hour racing roaring away at 5:45pm (ET) on Sunday.

After winning the opening two rounds of the 2014 Tudor USCC season, Porsche North America Racing will be hoping to return to winning ways in California.